Saturday, January 12, 2008

This is the third time Bollett will serve jail time for molesting children

A 43-year-old man, twice convicted of criminal sexual conduct, pleaded guilty on Jan. 7 to molesting two Lakeville boys in August and September. The boys, at the time of the incidents, were 12 and 15.

Robert O. Bollett will be sentenced Feb. 29 of criminal sexual conduct in the second and fourth degree. Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom said that, under terms of the plea agreement, Bollett will likely face two concurrent life sentences with eligibility for parole after 12 years.

This is the third time Bollett will serve jail time for molesting children

Backstrom said he was looking to prosecute Bollett under the new Dru Sjodin law, enacted in 2005. It’s legislation enacted by the state that beefed up penalties for first-time and repeat sex offenders.

Previously, sex offenders could receive Minnesota’s stiffest punishment – life without parole – only if the victim was murdered. With the new law though, offenders can receive that sentence for certain sex crimes involving “heinous elements including torture, mutilation, use of a weapon, infliction of great bodily harm, or like in this case, multiple victims,” Backstom said.

This is the third time Bollett will serve jail time for molesting children

According to the criminal complaint, Bollett stayed with the family of the two boys on more than one occasion. On the last occasion, the victims’ mother witnessed Bollett in bed with her older son and saw Bollett rubbing her younger son’s genitals. She had also witnessed all three of them take a shower together.

Backstrom said he believes Bollett knew the mother through a group for those who are hearing impaired.

“They were acquainted, but it’s my belief he sought out this family and these boys,” he said.

Backstrom said he agreed to the plea agreement because he didn’t want to put the victims through a trial.

This is the third time Bollett will serve jail time for molesting children

“This has all been very difficult,” Backstrom said. “And a life sentence is very significant. I also believe the proper safeguards are in place that if (Bollett) is ever allowed to be released, he will not pose a risk.”

This is the third time Bollett will serve jail time for molesting children, and that is why Backstrom said he was seeking such a strong penalty.

“He’s victimized many children,” he said. “We went after him, and rightfully so.”

Bollett was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in 1988 in Carver County and again in 1990 in Hennepin County.

This is the third time Bollett will serve jail time for molesting children

Backstrom said, under the old guidelines, Bollett would likely have faced a maximum sentence of 12 years, and with a possible upward departure because of his criminal history, would maybe have faced 20-25 years maximum.

If he is sentenced to the two life sentences, even if he’s given parole, Bollett must prove he’s no longer a threat – something Backstrom said isn’t a sure thing.

This is the third time Bollett will serve jail time for molesting children